Lyttelton police spokesperson Warrant Officer Hero Gumbu said De Bruyn was found in the company of a 20-year-old man on Thursday.
“The girl’s father suspected that she was with him and had opened a case of theft against him. He thus became a wanted suspect, and a lookout was issued for him,” said Gumbu.
“Luckily, someone in Vanderbijlpark was sharp enough to recognise him and phoned the police. When the police arrived they found them together. He has since been arrested.”
Gumbu added De Bruyn’s family was relieved she was safely back home.
Earlier this month, the family of a woman who went missing last month in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal reportedly hired a private investigator.
